OK, somebody had to to do it, and it might as well have been me, since mine is off warranty, (purchased in Nov 2011)...

There has been a lot going around amongst the more experienced BDB users about pressure loss over time, to where some folks could hardly get any brew pressure at all. Word from the aussie forums slowly trickled down that it might have been due to a problem with the 3-way solenoid valve. Sooo... I did a partial disassembly of my BDB today and found the 3-way valve and removed it for inspection. Here is my report:

-Unlike a lot of commercial/italian machines, the BDB's 3-way valve is on a machined stainless base.-which in turn, sits on a machined aluminum mating surface-there are a couple of o-rings sitting in machined recesses in the stainless solenoid's base. mine had a tiny encrustation of limescale. it could easily have gone on another year. BUT (and this is a BIG but), I have used almost exclusively RO water, so the mineral content is very low-to-near-zero, while clearly being enough for the sensors to get proper readings. i am going to have to assume that if you do not use very low mineral content water, those little suckers can crust-up, but good.-there has been talk that Breville is replacing the o-rings with a flat gasket. i can see how that might work since the two mating surfaces are machined. in fact, it's probably better that way since aluminum and stainless steel DO react with each other, (moreso in a salt environment, but still). There was some slight reactivity that showed itself in some black deposits on the aluminum face.-on reassembly, i put a _light_ coat of dimethyl silicone in the o-ring lands and on the faces of the mating surfaces.

based on that examination, i'm going to keep using my BDB exactly as i have been and not change a thing. ok, i changed one thing. i dialed back the OPV a half-turn. i do worry that if the OPV ever needs replacing, how will we get a new one?

my conclusion, if you're using low mineral water like RO, keep using it and inspect your 3-way valve seals after a year, just for peace of mind. if you are using tap water and pulling 3-6 shots most days, i'd be in a quandary. i'd be almost sure the 3-way is getting crusted up...but your machine is still under warranty so i would have misgivings about taking it apart. if you are off warranty and have not been using low mineral water, i would DEFINITELY inspect the 3-way valve. TODAY. not tomorrow.

based on that examination, i'm going to keep using my BDB exactly as i have been and not change a thing. ok, i changed one thing. i dialed back the OPV a half-turn. i do worry that if the OPV ever needs replacing, how will we get a new one?

Thanks for doing this, Peter, it's enlightening. I use RO water too, so I won't do a tear down yet. I wouldn't worry about the OPV as there are nice brass ones for sale by various parts dealers that will certainly work. An OPV is an OPV, more or less.

Hey thanks guys, I really appreciate that reply. By the way, what size Torx is used to take the back panel off? I'd rather not take the machine with me to the hardware store :)

I always like to film the first attempts with a machine, as I think this is one of the greatest testaments to a machine's abilities. My espressoparts 21G basket fits beautifully, but I did have to back the grind down a bit after the first choke. Seriously, I've had a lot of amazing coffee from this baby. Roasts that I had really given up on are now blowing my mind. Restraining my use of exclamation points, because I've already had too much today.

And here's the third, I much prefer the angle I can get with this single spout even though the factory double is nicely made:https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vxkARg8uINc/UPw-ZpP-Kf I/AAAAAAAAVc8/WoAL8JqYk8Y/s640/photo%2520%252838%2529.jpgclick here

Any similar videos showing the chemical and clear water procedures on our BDB? I saw one once before where the guy from Breville was wiggling the PF, but didn't see anything like that in the video above. Wondering why he does the wiggle, and why not just keep the PF engaged while running a clean water cycle.

I ran the BDB 'Clean Me' cycle last week, but after watching the post above I'm wondering where the 'dirty' water goes on the BDB clean me routine.

Any similar videos showing the chemical and clear water procedures on our BDB? I saw one once before where the guy from Breville was wiggling the PF, but didn't see anything like that in the video above. Wondering why he does the wiggle, and why not just keep the PF engaged while running a clean water cycle.

I ran the BDB 'Clean Me' cycle last week, but after watching the post above I'm wondering where the 'dirty' water goes on the BDB clean me routine.

Any similar videos showing the chemical and clear water procedures on our BDB? I saw one once before where the guy from Breville was wiggling the PF, but didn't see anything like that in the video above. Wondering why he does the wiggle, and why not just keep the PF engaged while running a clean water cycle.

I ran the BDB 'Clean Me' cycle last week, but after watching the post above I'm wondering where the 'dirty' water goes on the BDB clean me routine.

The purpose of the "wiggle" is for an exterior cleaning around the grouphead. Having water running while loosely engaging/disengaging the PF will shoot water out between the PF and the gasket (and maybe loosen some leftover grinds from the shower screen).

The backflush is for the internals. As Bubbadude stated, it vents into the drip tray (just like in the Seattle Coffee Gear video using the Rocket.)

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